BY ALISE CHAFFINS
The signs of spring are all around. Trees are blossoming, flowers pushing up from the ground, dandelions peeking out of lawns. And from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, the Mon River Trails Conservatory (MRTC) will host a Handmade Market in Morgantown’s Wharf District.
There will be nearly 30 vendors located along the rail-trail outside of Flour and Feed, Mountain State Brewing, Oliverio’s and Table 9. You can shop for a little bit of everything, including items like home-baked dog and cat biscuits, hand-thrown pottery, wire-wrapped crystal jewelry and wooden furniture and kitchenware.
All of this is part of Celebrate Trails Day, an annual celebration of America’s trails, held to encourage folks to explore their local trails.
Ella Belling, executive director for MRTC, said the area’s trail system is worth appreciation.
“The trail system we’re celebrating is 48 miles, including the Mon River, Caperton, and Decker’s Creek trails.”
These trails run through Morgantown and allow people safe places to walk and bike and to explore the beauty of nature here in West Virginia, she said, and are part of a larger rail-trail system of more than 60 trails in the state.
In addition to the Handmade Market, there will be other activities for the whole family highlighting the arrival of spring and the celebration of Earth Day. BOPARC will have a table where kids can create a sun catcher. Morgantown Public Library will have a seed-planting station where kids can learn how to care for a new seedling and watch it grow.
There will also be a 2-mile Spring Walk at 2 p.m. starting at the MRTC tent near Table 9. Additionally, the Morgantown Tree Board will offer free white oak seedlings and provide information on how to care for them.
Belling was also excited that Morgantown Adventure Outfitters will offer free bike and kayak rentals during between 11 a.m.-7 p.m. as part of the celebration.
Morgantown Adventure Outfitters is located at mile 9.7 of the Mon River rail-trail on Walnut Street.
If live music is more your thing, there will also be performances throughout the day near Flour and Feed. At 12:30 p.m., listen to Stonefly Four; at 1:45 p.m. hear Vincent Farsetta, and at 3 p.m., you can enjoy Emmy of the Mountains. All shows are free.
For more information about the event, a full list of vendors, and more information about the free bike and kayak rentals from Morgantown Adventure Outfitters, visit montrails.org.
